Hot-water heating system



Nov.30,1926. c. A. HUKILL HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEM Filed April 1:5, 1926.

EMPTY MARK FULL. MARK MAIIHUM MARK 22 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. HUKILL, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

HOT-WATER HEATING SYSTEM.

Application filed April 13, 1926. Serial No. 101,709.

The invention relates to hot water heating systems, and particularly to means for regulating and maintaining a substantially uniform pressure in the system to which it is applied. The invention has for its principal objects; the pro-vision of an improved regulating means, which may be located adjacent the boiler and utilized not only to maintain the pressure in the system constant, but also to regulate the damper 0r dampers; the provision of an arrangement of the character specified which will give an external reading indicating the pressure condition in the system, and in which an excess of water is held 1 in reserve in the system; and the provision of an improved system, which is entirely closed, which is free from valves, in which no expansion tank is required, and in which the water in the system is free from contact with the air. One embodiment of the inventionisillustratedin the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing a heating system with the invention applied thereto, the regulator being somewhat exaggerated as to size and being in sections. And Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the regulator, with the parts in a position different from that of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the boiler of a hot water system, which may be of any approved type, being provided with the ris ers 2, 2 leading to the radiators, and with the return lines 3, 3 leading back from the radiators. A supply pipe 4 leads to the city main, being provided with the usual valve 5 for cutting off the connection after the system has been filled. The boiler is provided with the usual ash door 6 having a damper 7, and with an outlet flue 8 provided with a check damper 9. Supported upon. a bracket it) above the boiler is a lever ll, from which the chains 12 and 13 lead to the dampers 7 and 9 for controlling such dampers, as later described. This lever is counterweighted and provided with a plurality of holes 1% along its length, as illustrated, for the at tachment of the chains, so that the degree of opening of the dampers for a given movement of the lever may be regulated to suit conditions.

Located alongside the boiler is a cylinder 15 having a capacity of several gallons of M water, so as to provide a substantial reserve, and take care of a wide range of fluctuation in the Volume of water in the system incident to changes in temperature. The cylinder carries a plunger 16 and is connected to one of the return pipes 3 by means of the pipe 17. The plunger 16 is preferably of the cup leather type, as illustrated, in order to avoid danger of sticking. It is pressed downward by a powerful spiral spring 18 and is provided with a piston rod 19 extending through the head of the cylinder. The piston rod is preferably provided with the indicating marks 20, 21 and 22. The position of these marks with respect to the end of the boss 23 on the cylinder head indicates the volume of water in the system. The middle mark 21 at the level of the boss indicates that the sys tem is full; the bottom mark 22 at the level of the boss indicates that the volume of water in the system is at a maximum; and the top mark 20 at the level of the boss indicates that the cylinder is empty or nearly so, and that more water should be added from the pipe 4-. The graduation may be variously arranged and suitably marked or labeled to designate the conditions.

In order to take care of the expansion, due to an increase in temperature in the system, above normal, the relief outlet pipe 24 is provided, such pipe leading into the cylinder near its upper end. This pipe may discharge to the floor of the cellar, or may extend to a suitable drain. If the temperature in the system rises above the usual maximum for whichthe system is designed, the correspond ing expansion of the water will carry the piston up past the end of the outlet or relief pipe 24, thus permitting ome of the water to escape. All danger of an accumulation of a dangerous excess of pressure in the system is avoided. This relief outlet 24 also guards the device against becoming inoperative in case of leakage past the piston. as the filling of the space above the piston with water would prevent functioning of the device.

The movement of the piston may he also employed to regulate the dampers 7 and 9 heretofore referred to. A chain 25 extends from the piston rod 19 around the pulleys 26 and 27 and down to the lever 1.1. As the temperature in the system rises causing an upward movement of the piston rod 19, the damper 7 is permitted to move toward closed position, while the check valve 9 is opened, thus reducing the draft through the furnace and checking any increase in the temperature of the water in the system. A cooling down of the temperature of the water and a corresponding downward movement of the piston rod 19 gives a reverse movement of the dampers, tending to increase the draft and give an increase in temperature in the water of the system.

In order to permit the withdrawal of any air in the cylinder, a passage 28 is preferably provided through the piston rod 19, as indicated in Fig. 2. The upper end of this passage discharges through the pet cock 29. The pet cock is opened when thesystem is filled, permitting the escape of'any air in the space below the piston until such space is filled and water begins to flow from the cock, which is then closed. The pet cock maybe subsequently opened whenever necessary to clear the cylinder of any air which may have collected therein.

In starting the operation, water is admitted to the system from the pipe 4, until it is filled, and the piston moved to a position about midway between the ends of the cyl inder, as indicated in Fig. 1, any air in the cylinder below the piston being allowed to escape through the pet cock 29, as heretofore described, such pet cock then being closed. As the temperature of the Water in the system increases and decreases, correspondingly increasing and decreasing the volume of such water, the piston 16 will move up and down to take care of the changes in volume, while maintaining the pressure in the system constant within suitable limits. The device gives a reserve supply in the system to compensate for any leakage or evaporation, and because of its location adjacent the boiler, is in position for convenient observation, so that it may be given attention when the supply of water falls below a given point. No valves or expansion tank are required, and the system is closed, so that there is little chance for any accumulation of air therein. There is also little loss of water by evaporation or otherwise. Other advantages of the construction incident to its safety, convenience and simplicity will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a pressure control apparatus for a hot water heating system, a cylinder having one end connected with the water in the system at the lower portion thereof adapted to provide an excess of water in reserve in the system, a piston in the cylinder, a compression spring resisting the movement of the piston toward the other end of the cylinder, and a relief outlet through the wall of the cylinder on the side of the piston on which the spring located adapted to be uncovered by the piston when the pressure of the water rises above a predetermined point.

2. In a pressure control apparatus for a hot water heating system provided with a damper, a cylinder having one end connected with the water in the system at the lower portion thereof adapted to provide an excess of water in reserve in the system, a piston in the cylinder having a piston rod, a compression spring resisting the movement of the piston toward the other end of the cylinder, a relief outlet through the wall of. the cylinder on the side of the piston on which the spring is located and adapted to be uncovered by the piston when the pressure of the water rises above a predetermined. point, and connections between the said piston rod and the damper whereby the movement of the piston rod opens and closes the damper.

In a pressure control apparatus for a hot water heating system, a vertical cylinder having its lower end connected with the water in the system and having a head at its upper end closing such end, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod extending through the head and having an air relief passage leading therethrough from the lower side of the piston, a valve for closing said passage, a compression spring in the cylinder resisting the movement of the piston upward, and a relief outlet through the wall of the cylinder adapted to be uncovered by the upward movement of the piston when the pressure of the water rises above a predetermined point.

4. In a pressure control apparatus for a hot water heating system provided with a damper, a cylinder having one end connected with the water in the system at the lower portion thereof adapted to provide an excess of water in reserve in the system, a piston in the cylinder having a piston rod, a compression spring resisting the movement of the piston toward the other end of the cylinder, and a relief outlet through the wall of the cylinder on the side of the piston on which the spring is located and adapted to be uncovered by the piston when the pressure of the water rises above a predetermined point, the said piston rod being graduated to indicate the position of the piston.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day of April,

CHARLES A. I-IUKILL. 

